First, to the surprise of few, the Maple Leafs announced that Peter Horachek has been named the club’s interim head coach following yesterday’s dismissal of Randy Carlyle. Horachek, who had previous head coaching experience in Florida, will run the bench along with Steve Spott and ex-NHLer Steve Staois, who’s headed down to ice level after serving in a player development role.

Horachek’s first order of business as bench boss? Shuffling the lines ahead of tonight’s game versus Washington.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Carter Ashton has been reactivated following his 20-game suspension for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program, and sent to AHL Marlies on a conditioning assignment.

On Nov. 6, Ashton admitted the ingestion of a banned substance — Clenbuterol, which he claimed he absorbed while using another person’s inhaler during an asthma attack — but said that “at no time was I seeking to gain an athletic advantage.”

Prior to getting suspended, the 23-year-old had been held pointless in three regular season games with the Maple Leafs.